Croatia, led by inspiring captain Luka Modric, wish to surprise the footballing world once again at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Seasonal overachievers Croatia have actually made a routine of bucking forecasts and making pretournament chances look ludicrous. While their World Cup record is the envy of lots of, they have never ever rather strike the very same highs in the European Championship.
With a population of around 3.8 million, Croatia’s accomplishment in reaching the 2018 World Cup last and following that with a go to the semifinals 4 years later on is among the terrific underdog stories in the sport’s abundant record.
Their history in Europe’s continental contest does not have the very same shine, with them having actually never ever been past the quarterfinals and falling in the last 16 at the previous 2 editions.
They will intend to put that right at Euro 2024 in Germany, in what will undoubtedly be the last hurrah for captain Luka Modric.
The 38-year-old Croatian talisman and schemer-in-chief, who has actually raised every prize addressing club level with Real Madrid, would enjoy to crown his unbelievable profession with global honours.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, who has actually won numerous LaLiga and Champions League prizes, has actually seen his playing time at Real minimal this season however he stays the linchpin in a Croatia side that on paper does not have the star quality of a few of their competitors.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic described Modric in 2015 as “footballing excellence” and “remarkable [to others] in every possible method”, however he has actually likewise shown a master at combining a group of lower skills that is generally higher than the amount of its parts.
Having had a journeyman profession before handling Croatia in 2017, Dalic’s World Cup accomplishments, while likewise reaching the Nations League last in 2023, make him the most effective coach in the nation’s history.
In receiving the Euros, Croatia completed second in Group D a point behind Turkey, making 5 wins in their 8 video games, with 2 beats.
Their leading scorer was Andrej Kramaric with 4 objectives and, while those efforts showed essential, the group values was shown in the truth that their 13 objectives in the qualifiers were spread out in between 7 gamers.
The very first job for Croatia at the competition will be leaving probably the hardest of the 6 groups after they were drawn together with Spain and Italy in Group B, with the 4th group Albania heavy favourites to leave at the very first obstacle.
The group winners, runners-up and finest 4 third-placed groups will advance to the round of 16.